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You can also ask that the builder provide a home warranty, if they haven’t already. A home warranty helps give you peace of mind, knowing that if issues arise later, they’ll be taken care of as well . Depending upon the situation, you may not even need to delay closing. If the house is liveable and only minor things need to be changed, your agent can negotiate for a sum of money to be held in escrow until the fixes are made. If there are major issues, however, you may want to delay closing until the builder addresses the problems.
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Anything your inspector finds at this point should also be fixed by your builder before closing. Inspectors say they've also often found projects that weren't completed.
New Construction
Home inspector for your new construction to ensure everything is working properly and there are no signs of underlying issues. The builder’s agent or customer service representative, along with an on-site worker or contractor, will usually be there when you arrive. They’re there to answer any questions you have about your new house. Preparing a checklist ahead of time can give you peace of mind knowing you aren’t forgetting anything.
Save this search to get email alerts when listings hit the market. You’ll also want to test the light fixtures and the outlets. Bring a hairdryer or cell phone charger to make sure power is flowing. Yes, this is a tedious job, but maybe you could pass this off to older children or a friend. Also, look for GFI outlets in areas where there’s a potential for water exposure .
All New Home Constructions Are Built to Code, Right?
Therefore, it is strictly recommended to follow the steps mentioned in the article before moving into your new home. Up in the attic, check for proper installation and floor decking in agreed-upon areas. You won’t be able to see it all, but check for any indication of roof leaks or air duct leaks where you can. Also, take a look at ventilation and lighting if applicable. On windows, examine the screens to ensure they are free from holes and that they function properly . Most of them spell out the details of the warranty process on the many products included in your new home.
Larger homes may come equipped with more than one unit and these are typically located in attics, basements, garages, and closets and even outside of the home. The location of the units can affect installation methods and how air is pushed through to the different areas of the home. Units will be set up differently based on a variety of factors and it is important for inspectors to have a deep knowledge of all the different aspects that can affect operations. Next, the connections and shut off valves located in the cabinets under sinks should be inspected.
New Construction Home Inspections Phases
Because building departments are generally busy, it’s impossible to perform a thorough, perfect on-site inspection of every system of a newly constructed home. However, local building codes and local code enforcement do help with the overall inspection of the structure and wiring in houses. If you are building a home and you’re worried that the builder and their chosen contractors are cutting corners; I can help. Using this process, I’ve helped my clients save thousands of dollars by having shoddy work corrected, as well as identified innumerable life safety hazards built into their home. The final inspection is completed during the 11th month of the builder warranty.
Unless the design embeds security, safety, and rigidity to overcome natural hazards, harsh weather conditions, and is fire-resistant, it is not advisable to invest in such properties. One of the crucial aspects to inspect while buying a new house. The HVAC system is a big expense, so make sure all’s well there. Bump the thermostat up and down (not all at once; Wait appropriately) to ensure that both the heating and cooling sides are responding. Bring a piece of tissue paper to test that the intakes are pulling air in and hold a hand up near the vents to check the flow. If they’re made from lumber, check for proper fasteners (did you agree on screws or nails?) and spacing.
As in other areas of life, emotions can run high if an appointment is missed or if items on your checklist appear to be neglected. Reach out to your builder and ask for firm answers or request for them to send somebody out to inspect. In addition, you may be asked to submit another list in the 11th month of your occupancy, before your builder’s one-year warranty on workmanship expires. By this time, your house should have stopping moving — settlement and shrinkage are the major causes of problems like nail pops or a creaky floorboard.
Often, homebuyers feel because the builder is offering a warranty that they don’t need to have a new home inspected. Hence it is advisable to invest in properties constructed by reputed builders. Secondly, wait for few months before applying the coat of paint. Even if there are minor cracks you can fix them by collaborating with the builder.
The problem is new homes can have just as many faults as older homes. Remember, people build new homes just like you; they’re human beings and make mistakes and miss things too. Hire a construction expert or an architect who possess the right knowledge and method to verify the wall thickness. Check under sinks to ensure the pipes aren’t leaking, and make sure the drains close as they should. Look over the enamel and tile to make sure there are no chips or cracks. Take special care to walk slowly and methodically over the floor.
Although the builder may indicate that the building is ready for inspection, you as the buyer, should confirm site conditions so that you do not schedule your inspection to soon. Any qualified inspector will assess the home, inform you of any items that need attention and provide you with a repair solution. You might hear a new construction walkthrough called a “blue tape walkthrough.” Why? Because buyers will often use blue painter’s tape to mark any spots that need to be fixed before everything is finalized. A newly built home should be perfect from the moment the builders and contractors are done, right? Your house might look perfect at first glance, but a closer look could reveal minor repairs that need to be finished before you move in.
On the most basic level, the roof is responsible for protecting the home from wind and rain. However, a properly installed roof creates a proper airflow that allows for ventilation and prevents condensation. Moist air has a tendency to accumulate in the attic, but a well-constructed roof will allow this moisture to escape.
When it comes to windows, there are both flanged and non-flanged flashing options depending on the style of the window. Jamb and head flashing should be used around the sides and top of any opening. An experienced builder will also take care to place sill or pan flashing at the base of openings so that water drains out of the home. The home inspector is verifying installations, performance and using building science to give you as much information as possible.
Roofing New Construction Inspection
More typically, though, you’ll be asked to make your final inspection a day or two before the scheduled close on your new home. Afterwards, you will be given a list of the flaws — maybe a window that won’t open or a small crack in the drywall — which you and your builder find. Pulte Homes, which delivered 18,000 houses in the year 2019, does three walk-through inspections. The first is before the drywall goes up, followed by a quality check by various inspectors, and a “final tour” prior to closing with customers, according to spokesperson Valerie Delenga.
It would seem that new homes should be perfect, or close to it, but many say that they often have hidden issues. Some common problems found during new-construction home inspections include structural defects like foundation cracks, faulty grading, and poor framing. I once conducted an 11-month builders warranty inspection for a client . I noted many items in my inspection report, such as interior walls out of plumb, bathtubs out of plumb and exterior stone veneer that was not correctly installed, etc. Most owners just want to know what work will be done and when. For work to be done after you close, ask for appointment times that work for your schedule.
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